Dry-plate camera.



W. S. BENSON.

DRY PLATE CAMERA.

APPLIGATION FILED MAY 4, 1914.

1,127,164. Petentea Feb.2,y1915.

J6 /NI/ENTOH f g//JM 5e mwen/Jew ATTORNEYS W. S. BENSON.

DRY PLATE CAMERA.

APPLIGATION FILED MAY 4, 1914.

1, 1 27,1 64. Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHBET 2.

A TTURNEYS 'UNITED sTATEs rarnNi lvopinion.

WILLIAM S. LBIENYSON, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO BENSON DRYYPLATEAND CAMERA co., or NEW YORK, N. Y., A

Accarecapannoni or New .YORK

Application filed May 1, .19.14.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it 1known that I, WILLIAM S. BENSON, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of the city of New York, 'borough of Manhattan, countyand State of New York, have invented a ,new and Improved Dry- PlateCamera, of Ywhich ,the following is a full, clear,'and exactdescription.

This invention relatesto improvements in cameras, and particularlyto'that variety of camera known as a dry plate camera,L and has for anobject to provide'an improved structure wherein a picture may be takenand developed atvany time without the use of a dark room. f

A further object ofthe vinvention is to provide an improved ,magazine orholding device for lthe plates, whereby only one plate is fed into thefocusing position back ofthe lens at any one time.-

A still further` object of the invention is to provide a camera with animproved magazine which is formed withichambers of diierent sizes,whereby two or more diderent sized pictures may ,be taken with"'the samelens, and associated'devices, and may be developed by the samedeveloping outfit.

In carrying out the objects of the invention a Jfocusingv and exposingstructure is provided embodying a lens'and usual associated devices.This structure forms a body to which is connected the magazine and thereceptacle containing the developing and fixing fluid. The body inaddition to containing the lens and focusing devices also contains aplurality'of Waysor guides for the different plates, which ways orguides are associated with a spring pressed rod. The spring pressed rodis adapted to press against the plates and hold the same in positionuntil positively relieved. The magazine is arranged above the body, andis adapted to feed a plate into the body when a movable section thereofis turned to a predetermined position. In order to provide a properfeeding of the plates the bots tom of the magazine is arranged with apair of raised portions-or ribs, and the side walls are formed withnotches which in effect present crossed Yopen spaces, whereby the platesin the magazineare :stacked in diierent positions, each alternatingplate being crossed. lThis allows the plates to be Specication ofLetters Patent.

Patented Feb. 2, 1915. Serialo. ,$36,172.

ing beads whenfthe Imovable part is turned from one lpt )si'tion to theother.

Tn the accompanying" drawings-Figure 1 s isa longitudinal fverticalsection through a camera embodying Ithe invention; Fig. 2 is a sectionthrough lFig. l approximately on -line 2-2 Fig. 3 is a section through-Fig. 1 on line 3 3; Fig. e is a section ,through Fig. 1 on line H; Fig.5 is a section throug Fig. 1 on 4line 5-`5`g yFigJ lis a fragmentarysectional view approximately lon line 6 6; Fig. i? is a AA.side Ivievvof 'a slightly moditied ,form 'of the invention in which the receivingon y one'psize of'fplate.

eferringfto the accompanying drawings by numeral, 1 indicates a base ofanydesired kindto *which is secured a. standard 2.

'inagazine'is provided with a chamber for The standard 2'is providedwith a threaded carriesa cap 3 vprovided with 'an' extension 4 lin whicha pin 5 is secured. Pin 5 is designed tolbe positioned'inslot 6, whichslot is provided in sleeve 7. Sleeve .7 is rigidly secure at fthe `lowerend to Vstandard 2, whereby' the base 1 and cylinder 10 may be placedlproperlyin position in respect to lid 3 and the aperture -8 arrangedtherein. The standard 2 and bottom 1 may be of one piece, or.v may beformed separate as desired,'but the standardfQ isl preferablyprovidedwitha shoulder 9l on which the cylinder 10 rests. Thisconstruction allows cylinder 10 to'freely rotate, however, is limited bypin. 11 striking against the web' 12 on base 1, which naturally limitsthe rotative movement of cylinder 2, whereby either of the chambers 13or 14 may be brought beneath the slot 15 in body 16. The cap or lid Sisprovided with a comparatively large opening 17 normally covered byaswinging coveringimember 18. `The plates are designed to be removedthrough this opening rafter the same have been through thedevelopingtluid. The particular construction and arrangement of thecylinder 10 and associated parts have been described, but other VJformsof ldevices could be used withoutdeparting fromlthe spirit of theinvention. The base 16 which is securedto cap 3 by any desired means, asfor instance screws, is provided with a slot 15 v1n the lower ends whichregisters with slot 8 and upper slot 19 which is designed to continuallyregister with slot 20 inthe support 21. Body 16 is provided with atubular bore22 in which is arranged a rotating member 23, and is alsoprovided with a conical or tapering bore 24 which has secured to theouter end thereof a lens (not shown) which may be of any'desiredconstruction and operated in any desired manner for providing the usualfocusing of the image on a plate arranged in the ways 25 or in the ways26 of the rotating member 23.

1n Fig. 7 a lens holding device 27 is disclosed which may not only beused in connection with Fig. 7 but with the structure shown in Fig'. 1.l

In Fig. 5 will be seen how the ways 25 and 26 accommodate the plates andhold the same centrally of the body 16. In order tc prevent anyvibration, and to rigidly hold the plate in position during the focusing-and exposing thereof a reciprocating pin 28 is provided which ispressed by spring 29, and which may be retracted by a suitable thumbmember 30 which is rigidly secured]v 31 of the pin. The' to the reducedportion pin 28 and associated parts are mounted 1n the extension 32formed integral with or rigidly secured to thev rotary member 23.

This extension is provided with a handle 33 whereby member 23 may berotated. The extension 32 is provided with .grooves 34 and 35, whichgrooves accommodate the locking pin 35, whereby the position of therotary member 23 is controlled so that Ways 26 may be opposite slot 19orways 25 may be held opposite slot 19. The pin 35 is mounted in a crossbar 36, which cross bar is clamped to the sides of body 16 by suitablescrews 37 and 38. In order to limit the rotary movement of the rotatingmember 23 a pin 39 (Fig. 5) is rigidly secured to the rotary member 23,and is adapted to strike the cross bar 36 on opposite sides of thecenter thereof. In order that a complete half revolution may be made thecr'oss bar 36 is provided with notches 40 for accommodating pin 39. Thisallows the rotary member 23 to be arranged as shown in Fig. 1, wherebythe same may receive a plate and then be turned to the oppositeposition, whereby the plate may drop through slots 15, and 8 into thecylindrical member 10. f

The supporting the top of body 16 in any vdesired manner, as forinstance by screws, as shown in Fig. 1. The support 21 carries aplurality of screws 41 (Fig. 4) which screws overlap an offset portion42 on plate 43. The plate 43 is rigidly secured to the bottom 44 ofmagaby gravity member 21 is secured to i zine 45 by any stance, screws.

with an aperture registering with nected with walls 55 and 56 are capsor covering members 59 and 60. The pins 51 and 52 allow a rotarymovement of the chambers i 57 and 58 so as to bring the respectiveplates into proper alinement with slots 46 and 47. The chambers 57 and58 do notperform a complete rotation but only a sufficient rotation forbringing the respective plates therein into alinement with theapertures; that is, in-to 'a position parallel with the apertures sothat when the plates aremoved olf of the upstanding portions 55 and 56,the same may drop down by gravity. In orderto allow this limited rotarymovement, the walls 55 and 56 are cut away'on their inner faces 55 and56 for producing shoulders 71 and '72- as more clearly shown in Fig. 6.These shoulders are adapted to strike against part of the upstandingportions65 and 66 and thereby limit the rotary movement of the chambers.The caps 59 and 60 may be held in place by any suitable means, as forinstance a dove-tailed joint as shown at 61 in Figs. 2 and 7, whichdove-tailed joint is as-l sisted by a suitable locking screw A62. Anoperating handle 63 is connected with'the chamber 58 so as to properlymanipulate the same, and a similar handle 64is provided for chamber 57.In connection with the magazine 45 it is noted that the partition wall48 is provided with raised portions or ridges 65 and 66 for eachchamber. These upstanding portions or ridges 65 and 66 are formed withreduced portions 67 and 68 over which part'of the walls 55 and 56 areadapted to pass as shown in Fig. 1.

It wil-l be observed that by reason of notches\69 and 70 a rectangularopening is provided for plates, and by reason of notches 71 and 72 asecond rectangular opening is provided for photographic plates, whichrectangular opening is almost Iat right angles to an opening caused bynotches 69 and 70. It will be observed that the openings for ,therespective plates are principally in common with the various notches 69to 72, producing practically two sets of open spaces wherein the plates73 may be mounted. In loading the device, the first plate 1s fitted, forinstance, into the notches 71 and 72, and the space connecting saidnotches, whereby it will rest upon the raised portionsA and 66. Thesecond plate is mounted on top of the first plate but so as to extendinto notches 69 and 70. The third plate is arranged similar to the rstplate and thereby rests upon the second plate. The remaining plates. arebuilt up in a similar manner, whereby the innermost plate is held awayfrom the space between the upstanding portions 65 and 66 by reason ofaid raised portions until the chamber has een plate with the cornersprojecting into notches 69 and 70 may be moved into the space betweenraisedzportions 65 and 66. After this plate has been disposed of, and itis desired to use another plate the chamber is turned until the notches71 and 72 occupy the same relative position as occupied by the notches69 and 70 in Fig. 6, whereupon the innermost plate arranged in notches71 and 72 will move into the space between upstanding portions 65 and66, and will drop from thence to the aperture 47. If chamber 57 is to beused the plate .will naturally drop through slot 46. Upon a back andforth movement of the chamber the plates may be readily moved into thespace between the upstanding portions 65 and 66 and allowed to dropfreely by gravity intoone of the ways 25 and 26. The structure shown inFig. 1 is set so as to receive plates .from chamber 58, but if it shouldbe desired to receive plates from chamber 57 the spring lock 73 israised temporarily so as to move the same out of the notch74 and themagazine 45 is rotated until the spring lock 73 snapsinto the slot 75.In order to properly hold the plate 73 in position and adjacent theupstanding portions 65 and 66 a spring 76 is provided for each chamberwhich presses against the respective coversA 59 and 60e-nd the plates 73in the respective chambers as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

In loading the device the same may be loaded, if desired, in a darkroom, but preferably a speciallyA constructed box is provided whichholds the plates in a similar position to that which they will occupywhen placed in the magazine, whereupon the box may be placed in themagazine and the box withdrawn in the daylight without injury to theplates. l

In arranging amagazine as described it is to be noted that theupstanding portions 65 and 66 are very important as they positivelyprevent any tendency of the plate moving into slots 16 and 47 until theparticular plate de sired is freely loosened. By crossing the plates asdescribed only one plate can be fed at a time, thus obviating any chanceof pinching two plates in the slot 46 or slot 47, and thus preventingproper operation of the camera.

turned. When the chamber is in the' position shown in Fig. 6 thelowermost.

y for half a revolution.

- the plates are` partially In operation when it is desired to take apicture with the various devices arranged as shown in Fig. l', chamber58 is rotated until the innermost plate is moved from on top .of theupstanding portions 65 and 66,

whereupon it will drop through slot 57 and also through slots 45, 20 and19 into the ways 26. It is to be understood that any7 kind of plate maybe used in the camera, but preferably the plates are of the usualtintype or ldaguerreotype variety. rIhe plate dropping into ways 26 willnaturally strike against pin 28. IJin 28 is moved rearwardly so as toallow the plate to drop to the bottom of the ways and then the pin isallowed to press against the plate for setting the plate and holding theplate properly in position. The lens is then operated for causing aproper exposure and after such exposure handle 38 is moved so as torotate member 23 together with the plate therein This will bring theopen end of ways 26 opposite slot 15. When this has been done pin 28 ismoved so as to release the plate, whereupon the plate will drop into oneof the chambers -in the cylindrical member l0, and be, properlydeveloped, after which it may be removed and delivered. Aftera secondoperation it will be necessary to move the rotating member 2 3 back tothe position shown in Fig. 1, and also to again move chamber 56 forallowing another plate to be fed into ways 26.

In Fig. 7 will be seen another form of the invention in which themagazine 45 is designed to receive plates of one size, and is directlyconnected to the body 16 by suitable screws 76. Aside from the fact thatthis form of the invention uses only a single magazine and other partsto correspond the construction is identical so that no extendeddescription is thought necessary.

What I claim is 1. In a camera of the class described,

means for providing an exposure, a magazine for supplying plates to saidmeans, said magazine being formed with.spaced raised members for holdingthe plates arranged in the magazine out of alinement with the device forreceiving and focusing the plates, and means acting on said plates .forcausing one ofthe plates to move into alinement with said focusing meanswhen rotated.

y2. In a camera 'of the class described, a magazine for feeding platessuccessively to a position opposite the lens of the camera, saidmagazine being' formed with a rotatable portion and a stationaryportion, a. pair of raised members arranged on the stationary portion,said raised members being formed with a recessed or-reduced portion overwhich said movable portion is adapted to pass, said movable portionbeing prollO vided with plate receiving openings which cross each other,and means acting on part of said movable portion for pressing the platesagainst said raised members.

3. ln a camera provided witha lens and means for supporting a plateopposite said lens, a magazine for feeding plates successively to saidlens holding or supporting means, said magazine comprising a stationarypart and a movable part, said stationar-y part being formed with a slotthrough which the plates are designed to pass to said holding means, apair of raised members arranged on said stationary part, said raisedmembers being arranged on opposite sides of said slot, said movableportion being formed with crossed plate re ceiving openings, whereby theplates are supported on said raised members and held from moving intosaid slot until said movable portion has brought the respective platessuccessively into alinement with said slot, and a resilient member forholding said plates normally7 against said raised meml bers.

il. In adevice of the character described, a magazine for photographicplates, said magazine having a discharge slot, a pair of beads orupright ridges arranged in said magazine, said beadsbeing spaced apartso that the 'opening therebetween will be opposite said slot, means forpressing photographic plates against said beads, means for turning saidplates one at a time so that the same will fall into'the space betweensaid beads, andV means for receiving the respective plates from saidmagazine as they pass through said slot for holdingthe same in positionfor focusing.

5. ln a camera oi the class described, a body, a magazine associatedwith said body, said magazine being provided with a slot for feedingplates to said body, spaced supports in said magazine substantiallyopposite said slot, means for forcing said plates toward said spacedsupports, and means for moving saidvplates so' as to register with thespace between said supports, 'whereby the plates will successively moveinto the space between said supports and from thence to said slet, saidmeans including a `housing provided with a chamber having notchestherein which hold the plates in a crossed position.

6. ln a camera of the class described, a magazine provided with adischarge `slot, a pair of supporting beads arranged opposite each sideof said discharge slot, each of said supporting beads being formed witha recessed portion, means for pressing a stack of plates against saidsupports, holding the plates of said stack of plates so that eachalternate plate is at an angle to each adjacent plate, said means beingpar= a pair of' means for memes tially rotatable, whereby the crossedplates may be alternately brought into registry with the space betweensaid supports, whereby the plates are allowed to pass individuallythrough said'slot through the action of gravity.

7. In a camera of the class described, 'a magazine provided with a pairof discharge openings, means defining a pair of chambers in saidmagazine, each of said chambers being provided with a stationary partand a movable part, each of said stationary parts being formed with apair ot' spaced beads arranged substantially opposite said slots, meansfor pressing photographic plates against said beads, and means 1ntegralwith the rotatable portion of said chambers for engaging said plates andmoving one at a time opposite the space between said beads, whereby onlya single plate is fed through said respective slots at one time.

8. In a camera of the class described, a magazine provided with aplurality of outlet slots, means for normally preventing plates in thecamera from passing through said outlet slots, said means being formedas spaced ridges or beads, resilient means for pressing platesagainstsaid beads, a pile of plates beingarranged substantially oppositeeach of said slots, and a rotatable member formed with crossed openingsfor receiving said pile of plates when crossed, said rotatable memberbeing adapted to move said plates back and forth substantially foralternately causing the same to register with the space between saidbeads and thereby be fed through said slots.

9. ln a camera of the class described, a body provided with a singleentrance slot and a single discharge slot, arotatable member arranged insaid body provided with a plurality of ways adapted to register withsaid slots at di'erent times, means for ocus- Y ing an image on a platearranged in any'oi said ways, a magazine adapted to carry platesdesigned to be fed to said ways, said magazine being provided with aplurality of slots for discharging plates oi' different sizes Jfrom saidmagazine, and means i'or locking any particular one of the slots of saidmagazine opposite the inlet slot of said body.

10. In a camera of the class described, a body formed with an inlet slotand an outlet slot, and provided with a lens together with means forfocusing the same, a rotatable plate holder arranged in said body, saidplate holder having a plurality of ways for diierent sized plates, meansfor holding any of said ways opposite said inlet' slot, a magazineassociated with said body, said magazine being provided with a pluralityof chambers, each chamber being adapted to receive plates of differentsizes, a slot for each of said chambers, a rotatable plate forsupporting said magazine,. means for lockname to this specification inthe presence of ing said rcatable plate so that any of te twosubscribing Witnesses. slots in sai magazine will be opposite t e inletslot of said body, and means for mov- WILLIAM S' BENSON 5 ing the platesin said chambers, whereby the Witnesses:

plates may be fed to said housing. A. L. KITCHIN,

In testimony whereof I have signed my PHILIP D. RoLLHAUs.

